The Columbus Clippers were in Allentown, Penn. Tuesday to take on the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in the first game of their scheduled six-game series. The IronPigs led, 7-0, going to the ninth inning. The Clippers were able to post three runs, but it wasn’t enough and Lehigh Valley prevailed, 7-3.

IronPigs’ starter Ranger Suárez (1-0), on a rehab assignment from the Philadelphia Phillies, was impressive in his third Triple-A start this season. The left-hander went 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and two walks while striking out five. He earned his first win of the campaign and lowered his ERA to 0.75.

Lehigh Valley scored in five different innings to lead, 7-0, heading to the ninth. Columbus starter Parker Messick (1-1) suffered his first loss of the season, going 3.1 innings and giving up five runs, four earned, on four hits. Reliever Mason Hickman then blanked the IronPigs for 2.2 innings, allowing only two hits.

Lehigh Valley scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings. In the ninth for the Clippers, Dom Nuñez hit a solo home run with one out, his fourth of the season. Later in the inning, with two outs, Will Brennan doubled to drive in two runs. That was all Columbus could manage and the IronPigs held on for a 7-3 victory.

The teams square off in the second game of their series Wednesday with the first pitch at Coca-Cola Park slated for 6:45 p.m. Ryan Webb (1-1, 3.78) will be on the hill for the Clippers, while Mick Abel (1-2, 3.80) will start for Lehigh Valley.

Transactions:

– Zak Kent was called up by the Cleveland Guardians Monday. The right-handed reliever was 0-1 with an ERA of 2.35 in five appearances. It is Kent’s first time with an MLB club.

– Shortstop Will Wilson earned a promotion to the Guardians with an impressive start to the Triple-A season. Wilson leads the Clippers with six home runs and 18 RBIs and is second with a .324 BA. It is his first time in the Big Leagues.

– Right-handed pitcher Alonzo Richardson joined the Clippers Tuesday from the Lake County Captains (A). The 22-year-old has appeared in just two games with the Captains this season. He has not played above the Single-A level before.

– Shortstop Yordys Valdes was called up to the Clippers Tuesday from the Akron Rubber Ducks (AA). He was in the lineup Tuesday for the Clippers and had a single in three at-bats. It is Valdes’s first time in Triple-A ball.